Cam Newton was named league MVP in 2015 as he led the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50; he last featured for the team in 2019, starting two games before a foot injury ended his season; he played for the New England Patriots in 2020 before being released this offseason
Last Updated: 11/11/21 5:02pm
Free agent quarterback Cam Newton is set to meet with his former team, the Carolina Panthers, about possibly re-signing for the franchise following the loss of starting QB Sam Darnold to injury.
The Charlotte Observer first reported the news, revealing that the 32-year-old Newton will meet with Panthers head coach Matt Rhule, owner David Tepper and Steven Drummond, the vice president of football operations on Thursday.
Newton starred for Carolina in nine seasons with the team after being selected first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was named league MVP in 2015 as he led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50 that season, which they lost to the Denver Broncos.
Newton last played for Carolina in 2019, starting two games before a foot injury ended his season. The Panthers released him prior to the 2020 draft and he spent last year with the New England Patriots, before again being released in the offseason as they handed the offense over to rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
Newton generally struggled in New England, averaging 177.1 passing yards per game in his 15 starts, with only eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the Patriots finished 7-9 on the season and missed the playoffs.
Darnold became Carolina’s starting quarterback after the team acquired him via a trade from the New York Jets. But with him now ruled out for at least a month with a shoulder injury, Newton is being considered as competition for backup P.J. Walker and Matt Barkley, signed this week from the Tennessee Titans practice squad.
Since his release from the Patriots, Newton has remained a free agent while awaiting the right opportunity to return to the NFL. He was vaccinated against Covid-19 during his period of unemployment.
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